Nine teams from throughout the country have entered Sustainable Habitat Challenge '09, a competition funded by the Ministry for the Environment and hosted by Otago Polytechnic.
Co-ordinator Tim Bishop said yesterday he was "ecstatic" with the number of entries, as each involved a team of people from tertiary institutions and the private sector working on design and construction.
"These teams represent the large number of Kiwis around the country who want to rethink the concept of sustainable housing.
''They represent the best thinkers in the country."
The teams have until October next year to complete their projects, which will be judged by a five-person panel including Dunedin city councillor and builder Dave Cull.
Otago Polytechnic has entered two projects.
Team Central Otago plans to create a public display centre to show sustainable housing concepts and products, and it will work with private home owners.
Team Dunedin will incorporate sustainability features in a house trades students will build next year, which will be auctioned for charity.
Among the other entries, The Plant Room, which draws members from Victoria University, Massey University and Weltec Polytechnic, has plans to add a series of garden rooms to an inner city building.
The rooms will generate energy, collect water, recycle waste and grow food and well as providing living spaces.
Auckland-based team Bach 101 plans to use recycled materials to renovate and extend a historic bach on Rangitoto Island, and will install alternative energy and waste disposal systems.